The best way to check on the adoption status of this dog (and other dogs and cats and other small domestic animals) is to visit Toronto Animal Services adoption website or call 416 338 6668 for the Toronto Animal Services South shelter. If the dog is no longer on the TAS adoption website, it's probably because it's been adopted already.

Smokey kept reaching out, trying to touch me while I was taking his photo. He'd flop over on his side and stretch out his front foot to touch my shoe, my hand, my leg. He was also quite attentive on the walk and, while not leash trained, hardly pulled at all. Lovely dog.

The best way to check on the adoption status of this dog (and other dogs and cats and other small domestic animals) is to visit Toronto Animal Services adoption website or call 416 338 6668 for the Toronto Animal Services South shelter. If the dog is no longer on the TAS adoption website, it's probably because it's been adopted already.

The previous owners of Willy Pi Pi shaved him down to try to reduce their new baby's allergies but it didn't help so Willy is now with Toronto Animal Services South. Well, they tried.

And his name is pronounced Willy Pie Pie, not Willy Pee Pee, which would be funny but totally inappropriate of course.

The best way to check on the adoption status of this dog (and other dogs and cats and other small domestic animals) is to visit Toronto Animal Services adoption website or call 416 338 6668 for the Toronto Animal Services South shelter. If the dog is no longer on the TAS adoption website, it's probably because it's been adopted already.

The best way to check on the adoption status of this dog (and other dogs and cats and other small domestic animals) is to visit Toronto Animal Services adoption website or call 416 338 6668 for the Toronto Animal Services South shelter. If the dog is no longer on the TAS adoption website, it's probably because it's been adopted already.

Sparky arrived at Toronto Animal Services South along with Ruffian (who was adopted out yesterday) and the two of them together remind me of smaller versions of Nancy and Sepehr. Sparky is shyer than his pal Ruffian maybe because he got teased in public school for his underbite. Someone needs to tell him that though his wacky teeth may have caused him grief with the meanies at school when he was younger, now they're going to be a big hit with the ladies.

The best way to check on the adoption status of this dog (and other dogs and cats and other small domestic animals) is to visit Toronto Animal Services adoption website or call 416 338 6668 for the Toronto Animal Services South shelter. If the dog is no longer on the TAS adoption website, it's probably because it's been adopted already.

The best way to check on the adoption status of this dog (and other dogs and cats and other small domestic animals) is to visit Toronto Animal Services adoption website or call 416 338 6668 for the Toronto Animal Services South shelter. If the dog is no longer on the TAS adoption website, it's probably because it's been adopted already.

Ritchie was at TAS South for a few weeks before someone took him home. Looks like the wait was worth it.

From Ritchie's new owner:

Hi Jenn,

Thanks to you and the team at Animal Services for your help with Ritchie.

Please let everyone know that he is doing really well here with Ryan and I. He seemed to feel right at home quickly, slept well through the night and he's actually eating his dry food (but he certainly likes the wet food better!). We have seen the vet and his stitches were removed. His remaining eye is still a concern, as you were right, the socket is very shallow. We will just have to be very careful with him and hope for the best.

We are both amazed at how well behaved he is, not to mention sweet. I think he's happy here and we are very happy to have him. I have attached a few pictures of him in his new home.

Really? This girl is still at TAS South at the end of the weekend? Maybe the flash floods in Toronto were keeping people away or something but I was thinking this pup would've been gone before I got in to see her. A bunch of dogs got transferred over from TAS West and a bunch of dogs got adopted out over the weekend so I was very surprised to see this one still in her kennel. Anyway, if she isn't adopted by the end of the week, I'm going to start thinking I've stepped into the twilight zone.

The best way to check on the adoption status of this dog (and other dogs and cats and other small domestic animals) is to visit Toronto Animal Services adoption website or call 416 338 6668 for the Toronto Animal Services South shelter. If the dog is no longer on the TAS adoption website, it's probably because it's been adopted already.

(Blast, it's hot outside. I haven't been able to make it down to TAS yet this weekend but here's another previously adopted.)

King was adopted by one of the volunteers at Toronto Animal Services South. He's a very friendly German Shepherd. If he were actually placed in a sheep herd environment, he'd be hanging with the sheep, partying with the sheep, getting drunk with the sheep. He sure wouldn't be guarding them or telling them what to do or any of that maintaining the order type of thing.

The sheep would love him but the shepherd (the human one) would be like: WTF? Who's guarding my sheep?

It’s a pug’s life – this is very true for Winston – the black pug that came into Toronto Animal Services (South) back in February after being rescued from a puppy mill

This update is long overdue – but we wanted to send a quick update with some photos to show just how happy Winston is doing being part of our little family. We started off as ‘Foster’ parents but we failed miserably. We adore him and everyone who meets him becomes instantly attached – he is the friendliest, most laid back, happy go lucky dog that has everyone who knows him offering to babysit.

He has a furry brother named Lao that was rescued from Japan a few years back – and although Lao wasn’t the most welcoming during the first week – they quickly bonded and have now become best friends where they snuggle most nights.

Winston has some kind of neurological issue that does not seem to be getting any worse (we are monitoring it) – if anything he seems to be getting better every day – he sometimes falls over when he lifts his leg and doesn’t seem to be able to walk in a straight line and will most likely have to wear balloon booties on his two front paws for life due to his knuckling (only when he goes on walks – when he is inside and on grass his knuckles don’t bleed) – but apart from that he seems to be extremely healthy and is very happy to be part of our family (except when we taught him to swim – he didn’t like that so much lol).

My boyfriend and I want to thank Toronto Animal Services so much for bringing Winston into our lives and taking such special care of him while he was there – and especially to James Mclean who somehow convinced us to ‘foster’ a pug (we were more of a big dog family before) – I think he said something about ‘pugs NOT shedding as much’ – hahaha for all of you who have pugs probably know that this is not the case LOL (nice try James) – but if it weren’t for him we wouldn’t have him in our life today– and that is a thought that is unimaginable.

TAS South is a bit low on dogs these days so here's a cross posting from Kismutt:

Hi There! I have been named Daisy, and I am a 6 yr. old Cocker Spaniel who has a very sad story to tell you.

I have never known a home. I have never had a soft bed to sleep in. I have never known love, and I have never even had a name until I was saved. I was a puppy mill dog.

I was rescued by Kismutt Rescue from an Amish Puppy Mill on June 5. I had Glaucoma in both my eyes so bad, that both my eyes had to be removed.

Glaucoma is a very painful eye disease, and the suffering I went through was horrendous. I was blind from the Glaucoma before my eye removals, but now that my eyes have been removed I am pain free and loving life again!

I am the sweetest dog you will ever meet.....bar none. I am such a smart girl too, as I have learned how to even climb stairs! I follow Kimberly around everywhere by the sound of her voice, and I know where she is. I love to putter around with you outside while you garden, I love to curl up beside you while you watch T.V. and I will sleep at your feet when you are working on the computer. I also love to sleep on your bed, and I don't move all night. I curl up and don't wake you up at all. The most amazing thing is that since I have come into rescue, I have never had an accident in the house! Puppy mill dogs are not house trained, but for some reason, I will only do my business outside! I have been spayed now, and I am all ready for my new home.

Do you have room in your heart and home for the most darling girl ever!

Kisses, Daisy.

For adoption information on Daisy, please check out her Petfinder profile here.

For adoption information on Daisy, please check out her Petfinder profile here.

Update (July 12): Here's a letter from Kimberley of Kismutt Rescue.

I know that Daisy's story is going to probably bring in many comments. What I want the public to understand, is that I have over 30 Amish Puppy Mills who surrender their sick, injured, old, non producing, or low producing dogs to me. I believe many of Fred's followers on this blog has seen them. I cannot keep up with the amount of dogs I take out of these mills, so I often send them to James McLean of TAS. I am the only person (other than pet stores and brokers) that are allowed in the barns of these mills in Ontario. Secondly, I want the public to know that Daisy's story is not unique. She is by far not unique. On average, I go to a different puppy mill 3-4 times per week getting dogs out just like Daisy. Each and every year I take between 500-600 dogs out of Ontario Amish Puppy Mills. This is my full time job. I rescue mill dogs full time. I do not work outside the home. And thank heavens for TAS who take in many of these dogs for me.

I have read on Fred's blogs over and over from concerned people asking the question...."Are these puppy mills charged?". The answer is no. The reason these mill owners are not charged, is that the Townships give them kennel licences. Example: one puppy mill can have a kennel license for 110 breeding adult dogs. These mills are zoned agricultural. The dogs are deemed as "livestock". Therefore, as long as the dog is provided with food, water, shelter, they are LEGAL. They are inspected once per year. This is the kicker...every single puppy mill gets a minimum of 21 days notice of their inspection date. Therefore, the mills have 3 weeks to clean up, move dogs to secondary locations that they would never want an inspector to see. Daisy's puppy mill, for example, was is in Township of Wellsley. Her puppy mill has a license for 90 adult breeding dogs. He passed his license again, just 3 weeks before I got Daisy. His brand new fresh license was posted inside the barn door. I got Daisy and 6 others on June 5th, in horrible shape, yet he passed his license not only by the Township of Wellsely, but by the SPCA. The Kitchener Humane Society Inspector (I won't mention his name) passed him again this year as he does with all 14 others he inspects that I go to.

The second question people always as me is "Is she reporting them?". The answer is..... report them to who? The OSPCA? They don't care. The Township? They give them the license! So who am I to report them to? The OSPCA's and the SPCA's will have the public belive they shut down puppy mills. That could not be further from the truth. Email Conny Mallory, the Chief inspector for the OSPCA, and ask her why she is not removing dogs from these Amish Puppy Mills. Mention my name if you want. She knows me quite well. Ask her why it is O.K. for these dogs to live in substandard conditions in barns in cages only large enough for them to stand up, turn around, and lay down. These dogs live in these cages 24/7, 365 days a year. Ask her how can these puppy mills pass inspection when there is no ventilation, no heat in the winter and no cooling in the summer? Remember, the Amish don't have hydro...therefore, no cooling, no heat. These are OLD barns. Ask her why is it O.K. that dogs never ever be groomed? Remember, no hydro, therefore no clippers. Ask her why is it O.K. that these dogs have their nails growing into the pads of their feet? Ask her why is it O.K. that dogs like Daisy who have severe Glaucoma and the pressures in her eyes were 36 & 37 and she needed both eyes removed, yet he passed his licence for another year? When I picked up Daisy, one of her eyes (pressure 37) had already burst from it's socket.

No hydro, no hot water to clean with..... just picture what their kennels look like. Ask Conny, how can these mills even pass the Canadian Kennel Code?
I just picked up a Shih Tzu and 2 Shar Pei/Pug puppies 12 weeks old last night from one of my 30 mills and all three are bald. They got a skin scraping today at the vet, and they all have sarcoptic mange. I can guarantee that if 3 dogs in that mill have sarcoptic mange, so do 50 more. Ask Conny why this mill just got his license renewed on July 2nd? They didn't go bald and just get sarcoptic mange in the last 10 days!

I know for legal reasons, I can't post the names or addresses of these Amish mills, but I assure you, Conny knows their names and addresses. One of the pups had a huge Hematoma on his left ear which had to be drained today at my vets. The other pup had a huge abscess on the side of his face the size of a peach which had to be drained as well, she also has an ulcerated, perforated eye. I could go on and on, but I hope you share their stories. And I hope, that each and everyone of you will educate your friends, family members, your neighbours, your co-workers of what is happening on our dirt back roads of Ontario with these Amish puppy mills.

The OSPCA won't help. The Townships won't listen. Will you? Toronto passed a ban on puppies being sold in pet stores last September. Mississauga just passed it 2 weeks ago. My goal is get the ban right across Ontario for each city. Please email me if you would like to help me. Each and every one of your voices will count.

Well I've been at my forever home a year now and I"m so happy my mommy and daddy love me soooooooooo much and I love them even more, we are a very happy Family . My cousin Basko who is in the picture with me visits often and we get along just fine now, I have learned to love him too.

I had my yearly check up and Dr. Martin says I am very healthy. I had my shots and my weight is now 23 lbs she says I'm doing extremely well, my blood work came back excellent. So there is nothing to worry about I am doing wonderfully well.

I have been swimming every day and I now know how to get out of the pool my parents taught me to how to climb up the ladder, I think that's how I lost some weight.

Anyways give my love to all and I will keep in touch.

Luv Frankie.

Anyone know where I can get a person-sized version of the mattress Frankie has?

Angel is a lovely girl. She's a Collie crossed with, oh I don't know, maybe a coyote or something but not one of those coyotes that hang out in coyote gangs but instead one of those city coyotes, you know, one of those coyotes that goes to brunch and orders eggs Bombay and a mochachino and reads the New Yorker while listening to Broken Social Scene. She's okay with being alone but would prefer to find that special someone with whom she can spend Sunday afternoons walking along Queen Street West and Ossington, window shopping galleries and buying ice cream cones.

I think I just wrote a personals ad for a twentysomething hipster.

Angel has just been spayed and will be up for adoption hopefully within the next couple of days. Please check the Toronto Animal Services adoption website to see when she becomes available or call 416 338 6668 for the Toronto Animal Services South shelter.

This is Odie (formerly known as "Sepehr"). He has a loving home now and a family who adore him. His likes: daily walks on the trails through the woods, belly rubs, ear scratchies, treats, running around the backyard.

Dislikes: that rabbit who now shows up every morning and sits on the outdoor patio to taunt Odie through the glass door.

A request

The reason for this blog is to help get specific dogs adopted from TAS but equally important is to try to normalize the idea of shelter dogs being just as good and just as desirable as any other dogs including those which are regularly merchandised by backyard breeders, puppy millers and those few remaining pet store owners who still feel a need to sell live animals. The single greatest stigma shelter animals still face is the belief that shelter animals are substandard animals. Anyone who has had enough experience with shelter animals knows this is untrue but the general public hasn't had the same experiences you've had. They see a nice dog photo in a glossy magazine and too many of them would never think of associating that dog with a dog from a shelter. After all, no one abandons perfectly good dogs, right? Unfortunately, as we all know, perfectly good dogs are abandoned all the time.

The public still too often associates shelter dogs with images of beat up, sick, dirty, severely traumatized animals and while we definitely sometimes see victims such as these, they are certainly not the majority and, regardless, even the most abused animals can very often be saved and made whole again.

Pound Dogs sometimes discusses the sad histories some of the dogs have suffered. For the most part, though, it tries to present the dogs not as victims but as great potential family members. The goal is to raise the profiles of animals in adoption centers so that a potential pet owner sees them as the best choice, not just as the charity choice.

So, here's the favour I'm asking. Whenever you see a dog picture on these pages you think is decent enough, I'd like you to consider sharing it on Facebook or any other social media sites you're using (I know many of you do this already and thank you for that). And when you share it, please mention that the dog in the photo is a shelter dog like so many other shelter dogs waiting for a home. If we can get even five percent of the pet buying public to see shelter dogs differently, to see how beautiful they are and how wonderful they are, and to consider shelter dogs as their first choice for a new family member, we can end the suffering of homeless pets in this country.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------